05.22.2024

Today’s Weather

87º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:13 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.
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✈️ Busy skies ahead

Airport expecting “busiest” travel season as Memorial Day weekend approaches

Lines of travelers carrying luggage make their way through Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Passengers can access all gates from any checkpoint once cleared through TSA at Charlotte Douglas. | Photo by CLTairport

The busiest days to travel are upon us. AAA forecasts nearly 44 million people will be traveling for Memorial Day weekend.

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has issued travel guidance ahead of the busy travel weekend. AAA projects 3.5 million travelers will hit the skies — nearly 5% more than Memorial Day weekend in 2023.

The busiest days for flying will be Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24. “CLT is expecting 1.05 million people traveling through the airport during that time frame,” says Jerome Woodard, the Chief Operating Officer at CLT.

Cars driving past the departures area, facing Uptown Charlotte. — Ongoing construction projects at Charlotte Douglas include the canopy at departures, which plans to be completed this fall.
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Photo by CLTtoday

Parking at the airport is expected to be in high demand. “The most efficient practice is to book your parking when you book your flight — it will give you access to the best available rates,” says Woodard.

Travelers should expect long lines and are cautioned to plan for potential delays. “We are continuing to deploy state-of-the-art checkpoint technology. It increases security effectiveness, efficiency, and enhances the traveler experience,” says Andrew Small with the Transportation Security Administration.

Charlotte Douglas offered tips to ease travel woes:

Book parking ahead of travel
Arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight, three hours before an international flight
Monitor security wait times
Register for TSA pre-check

Traffic is also expected to increase on the roadways. AAA forecasts 38 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend — the highest number since AAA began tracking data in 2000.

Asked

How do you prefer to travel?

A. Flying — it saves time.
B. Driving — love the change of scenery.
C. Train — it’s unique.
D. Other

Take flight

Events

Wednesday, May 22

Haw River Rose Tasting | Wednesday, May 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Carolina Beer Temple, 195 North Trade St., Matthews | Free | Pour yourself a glass of pleasure with fresh rose + free charcuterie.
The Art of Reading: Pride and Prejudice | Wednesday, May 22 | 6-6:30 p.m. | The Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd., Charlotte | Free | Create connections between visual arts and the world of Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennett + Mr. Darcy.
Rent EBoards Group Ride Along | Wednesday, May 22 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Rent EBoards, 1701 N. Graham St., Ste. 114, Charlotte | $24-$40 | Cruise Charlotte’s streets during this scenic tour.

Thursday, May 23

Lake Norman Chamber - Power Luncheon | Thursday, May 23 | 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. | NorthStone Country Club LLC, 15801 Northstone Dr., Huntersville | $35-$40 | Hear NC Attorney General Josh Stein discuss the state of business + weigh in on Lake Norman’s community.
2nd Annual Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown | Thursday, May 23 | 2-9 p.m. | Kannapolis City Hall, 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis | Free | Watch the city become a race track to celebrate the Earnhardt family during the 2nd Annual Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown.
Queens of Charlotte at Alive after 5 | Thursday, May 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Rd., Charlotte | Free | Enjoy an evening of free live music, food trucks, and drinks at Symphony Park.
RII in Concert: A Celebration of WDAV’s Recording Inclusivity Initiative | Thursday, May 23 | 7 p.m. | The Long Room, 1111 Central Ave. Ste. 230, Charlotte | Free | Register to celebrate the official release of WDAV’s first three Recording Inclusivity Initiative recordings.

Friday, May 24

Big Mecklenburg County Fair | Friday, May 24 | 5 p.m. | The Park Expo and Conference Center, 2500 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte | $7.50-$35 | Experience the thrills of a Ferris wheel, rides, circus animals, and more as the fair arrives in town.
North Carolina Education Lottery 200 | Friday, May 24 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord | $30-$280 | The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series kicks off Memorial Day weekend with 200 miles of wheel-to-wheel action.

Thursday, June 6

BMW Charity Pro-Am | Thursday, June 6-Sunday, June 9 | 6:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Thornblade Club, 1275 Thornblade Blvd, Greer | Tickets vary | Presented by TD SYNNEX, this is the only golf tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with professionals in a three-day competition over two golf courses. Start planning your trip to Greenville.*

Events calendar here

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Shop

The Father’s Day gifts he’ll ask for every year

It’s not too late to order the Harlestons Seaside Hoodie, Seaside Pullover, or Seaside Pocket Polo for Father’s Day. | Photos by Drew Somerville

Calling all children, partners, and friends of dads everywhere: Harlestons’ Seaside Collection will have the men in your life wishing Father’s Day — ahem, coming up on June 16 — was everyday.

Mix and match any of the pieces in the Seaside Collection (including the hoodie, polo, and quarter-zip) to create a complete look perfect for Father’s Day. Wearable throughout every season, Harlestons’ easy-care, performance fabric keeps you both cozy and cool all year long.

Father's Day gifts that won't miss

News Notes

Development

Renderings reveal a new fieldhouse, restaurant, retail space, and a revamped practice facility for the Carolina Panthers. The field’s height has also been reduced to provide nearby residents a better skyline view. City council’s next steps are to approve the rezoning petition. (WCNC)

Traffic

Charlotte Area Transit System wants your opinion on the Red Line. A public survey is open through Friday, May 30. The proposed commuter rail service would link northern towns of Mecklenburg County and southern Iredell County to Uptown Charlotte.

Community

All kennels by CMPD Animal Care and Control are open after months of renovations. The new kennels provide safer accommodations for the dogs and staff. Renovations began in 2023. (WCNC)

Coming Soon

A California-based wine bar is coming to Ballantyne. Postino Wine Bar is expected to open at The Bowl this summer. It will be the first North Carolina location.

Travel

American Airlines is introducing a direct flight from Charlotte Douglas to Quebec City, Canada. The flights begin Saturday, Aug. 10. The airline previously announced direct flights to Vancouver and Calgary starting next month. (WCNC)

Feel Good

A seven-year-old is safe at home thanks to “Bo the Bloodhound.” Gastonia’s K-9 is an 8th generation tracker and helped find the missing boy on Sunday, May 12. The child was not hurt. (WBTV)

Sports

Panthers’ QB Bryce Young is putting in the work with head coach Dave Canales in the team’s final off-season OTAs. Follow the action on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Wellness

Did you know? Nearly 50% of women skip their preventive care appointments — but these yearly visits are key to early detection and optimal health. In our first edition of CLT Wellness, the experts at Novant Health are helping us break down the recommended screenings for each age range.*

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🍓 Local berries, fresh flavors

Southern cuisine meets local strawberries

Three white plates with colorful meal items surrounded by strawberries on a brown table.

Locally-grown strawberries are featured in each of the three plates on the limited menu. | Photo provided by The Asbury

Planning a date night in Uptown? Consider a mouth-watering dinner at The Asbury.

The restaurant inside the historic Dunhill Hotel launched a three-course menu highlighting local strawberries from Boy and Girl Farm and Harmony Ridge Farms.

CLTtoday received a glimpse into the prix fixe dinner menu:

Strawberry Bibb Salad: roasted beets, lemon feta vinaigrette, biscuit croutons
Thyme-Roasted Duck Breast: farm and sparrow farro, fresh greens, strawberry basil relish — the perfect combination of savory and tart + tender protein.
Strawberry Tart: lemon semifreddo, strawberry crunch

Editor’s note: There’s a strawberry cocktail included with dinner and it’s berry fresh.

Executive Chef Tim Groody highlights the seasonal fruit in each menu item. The prix fixe strawberry menu is $50 per person + will conclude Friday, May 31.

Pro tip: Make a reservation in advance. The restaurant tends to be busy before events at Blumenthal Arts Center and Knight Theater.

Answered

Earlier this week, we asked “What Spectrum Center renovations do you want most?”

With the Spectrum Center closing until October, work is going on now to give fans an improved experience for games and events.

90% — Better seating
10% — Faster concession stands

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maria

From the editor

While Memorial Day is the “unofficial” start to summer and a busy travel season, please join me in remembering the fallen soldiers who are no longer with us.

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